Psalm 120:1

Psalm 120:1

Calling on the Lord

This Psalm is part of a collection of 15 psalms (120-134) that are all entitled “A song of ascents.” In fact, Psalms 135-137 are also linked to this package and the word “ascents” suggests that these were songs that were sung or written for the ascent to Zion or Jerusalem, as pilgrims approached at the time of the annual feasts. There is an underlying longing, the songs reflect the yearning that comes from being far from home and beset by the wicked, but there are also calls to praise the Lord when the weary travellers reach the Temple and enter the sanctuary. Psalm 120 is written by a man who has suffered the false accusations of his enemies, hence the prayer in v1-2. The antagonists are addressed in v3-4 and there is a lament for his circumstances in v5-7.  

 

V1        Despite the situation described above, verse 1 is positive, in a nutshell the writer is saying, “I call on the Lord – He answers!” Prayer is that simple, but we can make it very complicated at times. If we are undergoing suffering of any kind, then we need to call on the Lord. Having done that, we can then expect that in some way, at some time, He will answer. The way we pray varies, some may spend days or weeks fasting, others may kneel and weep with despair and sorrow. Prayer should never be an afterthought, for many of us it is a regulated, daily time of quiet spent alone with our God. He never dictates how we do it, just that we should do it, for then He will answer. Hallelujah!